Method for swapping sink device and apparatus for providing contents using the same

ABSTRACT

A method for converting a sink device and an apparatus for providing a content using the same are provided. The method for converting the sink device includes receiving a sink device conversion command from a first sink device, transmitting the content to a second sink device if a conversion approval of the sink device is received from the second sink device, and transmitting a control authority related to a content provision from the first sink device to the second sink device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Korean PatentApplication No. 2010-0000445, filed on Jan. 5, 2010 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate toproviding contents, and more particularly, to providing contents fordevices connected to communicate with one another.

2. Description of the Related Art

Prices of electronic devices have been decreasing, but consumer'spurchasing power has been increasing. Thus, it has become common for oneuser to own a number of electronic devices.

Moreover, with the development of digital and networking technologies,one network has been generated by bundling a number of electronicdevices. The electronic devices forming the network are mutuallyoperated and generate many new functions which were not possible on anindividual basis.

Accordingly, it is necessary to find ways for a user to connect theirelectronic devices and to enjoy more diverse and convenient functions.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments address at least the above problems and/ordisadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also,exemplary embodiments are not required to overcome the disadvantagesdescribed above, and an exemplary embodiment may not overcome any of theproblems described above.

The present invention provides a method for converting a sink device,which suspends a content transmission to the sink device, transmits thecontent to another sink device, thus converting a sink device to outputthe contents, and an apparatus for providing the content using the same.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a sink device conversion method ofa plurality of sink devices which output a content transmitted from asource device includes: receiving a sink device conversion command froma first sink device; transmitting the content to a second sink device,if a sink device conversion approval is received from the second sinkdevice; and transmitting a control authority related to a contentprovision from the first sink device to the second sink device.

The sink device conversion method may further include suspending thetransmission of the content to the first sink device after the receivingoperation.

The transmitting may include transmitting the content after the momentwhen the transmission was suspended in the suspension operation.

The sink device conversion method may further include transmitting aturn-off request to the first sink device after the suspensionoperation.

The sink device conversion method may further include transmitting aturn-on request to the second sink device after the receiving operation.

The sink device conversion command may be a command which makes thesource device convert from the first sink device to the second sinkdevice and transmit the content to the second sink device.

The source device is a content-play device which plays contentsincluding at least one of a video signal and an audio signal, and theplurality of sink devices comprise a video device and an audio device.The transmitting of the content comprises separating the contents into avideo signal and an audio signal; transmitting the video signal into thevideo device; and transmitting the audio signal into the audio device.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a content-providing apparatuswhich converts a sink device outputting a content includes: acommunication interface which enables communication between thecontent-providing apparatus and at least a first sink device and a firstsink device; and a control unit which receives a sink device conversioncommand from the first sink device through the communication interface,transmits the content to the second sink device through thecommunication interface if a sink device conversion approval is receivedfrom the second sink device through the communication interface, andtransfers a control authority related to a content provision from thefirst sink device to the second sink device.

The control unit may suspend content transmission to the first sinkdevice if the sink device conversion command is received from the firstsink device.

The control unit may transmit the content to the second sink devicethrough the communication interface after the moment when thetransmission was suspended.

The control unit may transmit a turn-off request to the first sinkdevice through the communication interface after suspending the contenttransmission to the first sink device.

The control unit transmits a turn-on request to the second sink devicethough the communication interface if the sink device conversion commandis received from the first sink device.

The sink device conversion command is a command which makes thecontent-providing apparatus convert from the first sink device to thesecond sink device and transmit the content to the second sink device.

The content includes at least one of a video signal and an audio signal,the second sink device includes a video device and an audio device, andthe control unit transmits the video signal separated from the contentto the video device through the communication interface and transmitsthe audio signal to the audio device through the communicationinterface.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a method for converting fromone sink device to another sink device includes: transmitting data tothe sink device; receiving from the sink device a conversion request;and transmitting data to the other sink device based on the conversionrequest.

The method may further include suspending the transmission of data tothe sink device after the conversion request is received. Also, themethod may further include receiving a conversion approval from theother sink device after the conversion request is received.

The method may further include transferring a control authority from onesink device to another sink device.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a source apparatus forconverting a destination sink device to another destination sink device,includes: a communication interface which transmits content to thedestination sink device and receives from the sink device a conversionrequest; and a control unit which receives and processes the conversionrequest. The communication interface may transmit the content to theother sink device based on the conversion request.

The control unit may suspend the transmission of data to the sink deviceafter the conversion request is received.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a control authoritymay be transferred from the sink device to the other sink device.

According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the sourceapparatus may receive a conversion approval from the other device afterthe conversion request is received.

According to still another exemplary embodiment, a method for convertingfrom a first sink device to another sink device, includes: transmittingdata to the sink device; receiving from the sink device a conversionrequest to transmit data to a second sink device; receiving from a thirdsink device a conversion approval; and transmitting the data to thethird sink device. The method may further include transferring a controlauthority from the sink device to the third sink device.

According to still another exemplary embodiment, a source apparatus forconverting a destination sink device to another destination sink device,includes: a communication interface which transmits data to thedestination sink device and receives, from the destination sink device,a conversion request to transmit data to a second destination sinkdevice; and a control unit which receives and processes the conversionrequest, wherein the communication interface transmits the data to athird destination sink device after receiving a conversion approval fromthe third destination sink device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects will be more apparent by describingcertain exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a home network to which exemplary embodiments areapplicable;

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a Blu-ray Disk Player (BDP)illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart provided to explain a sink device conversionmethod according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart provided to explain a sink device conversionmethod according to another exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a drawing of another home network to which exemplaryembodiments are applicable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described in greater detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, the same drawing reference numerals areused for the same elements even in different drawings. The mattersdefined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements,are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments. Thus, it is apparent that exemplary embodiments can becarried out without those specifically defined matters. Also, well-knownfunctions or constructions are not described in detail since they wouldobscure the exemplary embodiments with unnecessary detail.

1. Home Network to which the Present Invention is Applicable

FIG. 1 illustrates a home network to which exemplary embodiments areapplicable. The home network in FIG. 1 comprises 1) a Blu-ray DiskPlayer (BDP) 100 and a DTV-1 210 located in a Room-1 10, 2) a DTV-2 220located in a Room-2 20, and 3) a DTV-3 230 located in a Room-3 30.

The BDP 100 is a kind of source device which provides contents recordedin a Blu-ray (BD). The DTVs 210, 220, 230 are kinds of sink deviceswhich output contents provided by the BDP 100 working as a source deviceand provide the contents for a user.

The DTVs 210, 220, 230 are connected to the BDP 100 to communicate witheach other. Accordingly, contents and a control command/request can betransmittable between the DTVs 210, 220, 230 and the BDP 100.

In detail, the BDP 100 can send contents generated by playing a BD tothe DTVs 210, 220 230. Moreover, the BDP 100 can generate acommand/request to control the DTVs 210, 220, 230 and send it to theDTVs 210, 220, 230. Moreover, a control command on the BDP 100 can beinput into the DTVs 210, 220, 230 by a user and can be sent to the BDP100.

2. BDP Detailed Configuration

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of the BDP 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.As illustrated in FIG. 2, the BDP 100 comprises a BD playing unit 110,an audio/video (AV) processing unit 120, a communication interface 130,a control unit 140, and a user-input unit 150.

The BD playing unit 110 reads content data recorded on the BD and sendsit to the AV processing unit 120.

The AV processing unit 120 performs necessary signal processing on thecontent data sent from the BD playing unit 110. In detail, the AVprocessing unit 120 decompresses the content data sent from the BDplaying unit 110. Moreover, the AV processing unit 120 can also separatethe decompressed content into a video signal and an audio signal.

The communication interface 130 is connected to the previously-mentionedDTVs 210, 220, 230 to communicate with each other. A content controlcommand/request is exchanged between the BDP 100 and the DTVs 210, 220,230 through the communication interface 130.

The control unit 140 controls the functions of the BDP 100 in generalbased on 1) a control command input from the user-input unit 150, or 2)a control command received from the DTVs 210, 220, 230 through thecommunication interface unit 130.

The control command ‘1)’ refers to a control command directly input by auser into the BDP 100 unit to control the BDP unit 100. The controlcommand ‘2)’ refers to a control command indirectly input by a userthrough the DTVs 210, 220, 230, to control the BDP unit 100.

Particularly, the control unit 140 controls the BDP 100 and the DTVs210, 220, 230 to ensure that one DTV, which is a sink device where thecontents read by the BD playing unit 110 and signal processed by the AVprocessing unit 120 are output, can be changed to a different DTV wherecontents can be output.

In detail, the control unit 140 controls a sink device which outputscontents, wherein the sink device can be changed, or converted among theDTVs 210, 220, 230.

3. Sink Device Conversion Process #1

Sink device conversion is performed based on the command of a user. Aprocess where the control unit 140 controls a sink device conversion, ifa user commands a sink device to be converted from the DTV-1 210 to theDTV-2 220, will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart provided to explain a sink device conversionmethod according to an exemplary embodiment. A sink device conversioncommand is input by a user through the sink device DTV-1 210 wherecontents are being output, and is sent to the BDP 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, if a sink device conversion command (from theDTV-1 to the DTV-2) is received from DTV-1 (210) (S320-Y) while contentsare being transmitted to the DTV-1 210 (S310), the control unit 140suspends the ongoing content transmission which has been going on inoperation S310. (S330)

In operation S330, content playing/transmission is suspendedautomatically in the BDP 100, and outputting is suspended automaticallyin the DTV-1 210.

To resume the content playing/transmitting and outputting, the userneeds to move from Room-1 to Room-2 and input a sink device conversionapproval into the DTV-2 220. The DTV-2 220 sends the sink deviceconversion approval input by the user, to the BDP 100.

When the sink device conversion approval is received from the DTV-2 220(S340-Y), the control unit 140 controls the BD playing unit 110 and theAV processing unit 120 to resume the playing of contents. The controlunit 140 controls the communication interface unit 130 to transmit theplayed contents to the DTV-2 220 (S350.)

If a sink device conversion approval is received from the DTV-2 220(S340-Y), it means that the user is ready to watch the contents throughthe DTV-2 220.

Content transmission in operation S350 takes place after the moment whenthe transmission is suspended in operation S330; i.e., to enable a userto watch the contents seamlessly.

Since then, the control unit 140 transfers a BDP control authority fromthe DTV-1 210 to DTV-2 220 (S360.) The DTV, which has the controlauthority, is a DTV where a user command on the BDP unit 100 such ascommands to play, pause, fast forward and rewind a content in the BDP100 are input.

The control authority is transferred from the DTV-1 210 to DTV-2 220.Therefore, a user can input a command about the BDP unit 100 through theDTV-2 220, not through the DTV-1 210. Accordingly, the BDP unit 100receives a command related to the performance of its functions from theDTV-2 220, not from the DTV-1 210.

4. Sink Device Conversion Process #2

Thus far, a case has been described where a user inputs a sink deviceconversion approval into the DTV which is commanded to be converted intoa sink device. In other words, the case has been described that, 1)after a user commands to convert a ‘sink device from the DTV-1 210 tothe DTV-2 220, 2) a user inputs a sink device conversion approval intothe DTV-2 220 after moving to the Room-2.

However, a case can occur where a user inputs a sink device conversionapproval into another DTV, not the DTV which is commanded by a user toconvert a sink device, because of ignorance or misunderstanding of theuser. For example, 1) a user commands to covert a sink device from theDTV-1 210 to the DTV-2 220, 2) but the user misidentifies the DTV-3 230located in the Room-3 as the DTV-2 220, thus moving to the Room-3 andinputting a sink device conversion approval into the DTV-3 230.

In this case, the control unit 140 receives a sink device conversionapproval from the DTV-3 230, not from the DTV-2 220. In such a case, aprocess of sink device conversion approval will be explained below indetail.

Detailed explanation on operation S410 or operation S430 in FIG. 4 canbe inferred from the explanation on operation S310 or S330 illustratedin FIG. 3, and is omitted.

A sink device conversion approval is received from the DTV-3 230, notfrom the DTV-2 220, the control unit 140 transmits a request forconfirmation on, whether to convert a sink device to the DTV-3 230 notto the DTV-2 220, to the DTV-3 230 (S450).

The DTV-3 330, which receives the conversion confirm request transmittedin operation S450, displays a text message on a display to ask whetherto ‘convert a sink device to the DTV-3 230, not to the DTV-2 220.’ TheDTV-3 330 receives a response from a user about the message and sends itin response to the confirm request from the BDP 100.

If a “positive” confirm response is received from the DTV-3 230(S460-Y), the control unit 140 controls the BD playing unit 110 and theAV processing unit 120 to resume the playing of contents, and controlsthe communication interface unit 130 to send the played contents to theDTV-3 230 (S470).

If a confirm response is received from the DTV-3 230, a user confirmsthat a sink device has been converted to the DTV-3 230, not to the DTV-2220. Thus, the contents are transmitted to the DTV-3 230 in operationS470.

Afterwards, the control unit 140 transfers a control authority on theBDP 100 from the DTV-1 210 to the DTV-3 230 (S480). Accordingly, the BDP100 receives a command related to its functions from the DTV-3 230, notfrom the DTV-1 210.

If a “negative” confirm response is received from the DTV-3 230(S460-N), the control unit 140 performs operation S340 in FIG. 3.Accordingly, if a sink device conversion approval is received from theDTV-2 220 (S340-Y), the control unit 140 performs operations S350 andS360.

5. Automatic Power Management

After operation S330 in FIG. 3 and operation S430 in FIG. 4, the controlunit 140 can transmit a ‘power turn-off’ command to the DTV-1 310. Thatis to automatically turn off the power of the DTV-1 310 where contentswill not be output, because the content output is suspended now.

After operation S330 in FIG. 3 or operation S430 in FIG. 4, the controlunit 140 can transmit a ‘power turn-on’ command to the DTV-2 320. Thatis to automatically turn on the power of the DTV-1 310 where thecontents will be output.

6. Providing Contents Separately

In the above examples, contents are output through one DTV. However,that is just an example. Accordingly, it is possible to realize that thecontents can be transmitted to more than two sink devices and be output.For example, the contents, which were output from the DTV-1 210, can betransmitted to both of DTV-2 220 and DTV-3 230 and be output.

Moreover, a video signal and a audio signal contained in the contentscan be transmitted to respective sink devices and be output. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 5, under the home network, the BDP 100can separate the contents into a video signal and an audio signal, 1)send the video signal to the DTV-220, and 2) the audio signal to a HTS(Home Theater System) 240. In this case, a user can watch a videothrough the DTV-2 220 in the Room-2, and listen to an audio through theHTS 240.

7. Variations

(1) Network

The home networks in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 are examples of networks to whichexemplary embodiments are applicable. Exemplary embodiments are notlimited to the illustrated home network and can also be applicable to adifferent network from the illustrated one.

The devices mentioned in the home network assumed can be connected by aphysical connection, but that is just an example for a betterexplanation. They can also be connected in a wireless manner.

(2) Source Device, Sink Device

The BDP mentioned in the above examples is a kind of source device andcan be replaced with other kinds of devices other than the BDP. DTV andHTS are kinds of sink devices, therefore they can also be replaced withother kinds of devices.

As explained thus far, according to exemplary embodiments, a user cansuspend the contents being transmitted to a sink device, transmit thecontents to another sink device which the user wants, and change thesink device that outputs the contents. Accordingly, the user can convertthe sink device to be provided with the contents, freely, so that theuser enjoys more convenience.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplaryand are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. Thepresent teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses.Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to beillustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and manyalternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sink device swapping method of a plurality ofsink devices, each of which is capable of outputting a contenttransmitted from a source device, the method comprising: the sourcedevice receiving a sink device recipient swapping command from a firstsink device which receives contents provided from the source device; thesource device receiving a sink device recipient swapping approval from apredetermined second sink device; suspending the transmission of thecontent to the first sink device after the receiving operation thatindicates swapping approval, transmitting the content to thepredetermined second sink device; transmitting a control authorityrelated to a content provision from the first sink device to the secondsink device; transmitting a turn-off request to the first sink deviceafter the suspending operation, wherein the turn-off request relates toautomatically turning off power to the first sink device; andtransmitting a turn-on request to the second sink device after thereceiving operation, wherein the turn-on request relates toautomatically turning on power to the second sink device.
 2. The sinkdevice swapping method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmittingincludes transmitting the content after the transmission is suspended inthe suspending operation.
 3. The sink device swapping method as claimedin claim 1, wherein the sink device recipient swapping command is acommand which makes the source device swap from the first sink device tothe second sink device and transmit the content to the second sinkdevice.
 4. The sink device swapping method according to claim 1, whereinthe source device is a content-play device which plays contentsincluding at least one of a video signal and an audio signal, and theplurality of sink devices comprise a video device and an audio device,wherein the transmitting the content comprises separating the contentinto a video signal and an audio signal; transmitting the video signalinto the video device; and transmitting the audio signal into the audiodevice.
 5. A content-providing apparatus which transmits data to a sinkdevice which is capable of outputting a content comprising: acommunication interface which enables communication between said contentproviding apparatus and at least a first sink device and a second sinkdevice, each of which is capable of outputting a content; and a controlunit which receives a sink device recipient swapping command from thefirst sink device which receives contents provided from the sourcedevice through the communication interface, receives a sink devicerecipient swapping approval from the predetermined second sink device,suspends content transmission to the first sink device if the sinkdevice recipient swapping command is received from the first sinkdevice, transmits the content to the predetermined second sink devicethrough the communication interface and transfers a control authorityrelated to a content provision from the first sink device to the secondsink device, wherein the control unit transmits a turn-off request tothe first sink device through the communication interface aftersuspending the content transmission to the first sink device, whereinthe turn-off request relates to automatically turning off power to thefirst sink device, and wherein the control unit transmits a turn-onrequest to the second sink device through the communication interface ifthe sink device recipient swapping command is received from the firstsink device, wherein the turn-on request relates to automaticallyturning on power to the second sink device.
 6. The content-providingapparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control unit transmits thecontent to the second sink device through the communication interface,after the transmission was suspended.
 7. The content-providing apparatusas claimed in claim 5, wherein the sink device recipient swappingcommand is a command which makes the content-providing apparatus swapfrom the first sink device to the second sink device and transmit thecontent to the second sink device.
 8. The content-providing apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein the content includes at least one of avideo signal and an audio signal, the second sink device includes avideo device and an audio device, and the control unit transmits thevideo signal separated from the content to the video device through thecommunication interface and transmits the audio signal to the audiodevice through the communication interface.